Exercising swimming tank



V I 1,630,797 May 1927- J. MARWICK BERCISING SWIIIING TANK Filed Dec.22, 1925 2 sheets-shoe; 1

- I vI smut I A]; as J%%mik May 31, 1927.

'J. MARWICK EXERCISING swmmme TANK 'Filed Dec. 22, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2EGEEEEQ EEEEEEE EUEEEEEQE I I I III I I II I Patented May 31, 1927.

JAMES MARWIGK, OF SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA.

EXERGISING SWIMMING TANK.

Application filed December 22, 1925. Serial No. 77,025.

This invention relates to exercising swimming tanks,-'more particularlyit belongs in the class of relatively small .bath pools wherein acurrent of water maybe kept moving in a given direction, and the swimmercan gain the advantages of the bath and the benefit-of the exertion ofswimming by endeavoring to proceed contrary to the current. Means areprovided for making the current of any strength desired, in order thatthe invention may be used by ladies or children, as well as men orstronger swim- It is the intention that the current may be of suchstrength that the swimmer making such effort as may be chosen oragreeable to him will remain practically in one position with respect tothe length of the basin.

v A referred construction of this invention 15 illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, of which Fig, 1 represents a top plan view of allparts assembled. Fig. 2 is an end view from the right hand side ofFig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the broken line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig.4 is a fragmentary section of the rim and outflow end of the basin, andshows a side view of the movable grating adjacent to the outflowopening, provided with an electric switch 7 for cutting out the motor ashereinafter explained.

Throughout the drawings and descriptlon the same number is used to referto the same part.

Considering the drawings, the basin has a rim platformor footway usuallyextend ing entirely around the basin. The platform is marked 2, and mayof any width or extent. In the drawings the basin and'platform are shownas constructed together of concrete, but it is not intended, to confinethis invention to any material or to the specific structure stated. a

The basin is provided with a drain pipe 3 closed or opened by a valve 4accessible by way of a handhole 5 in the platform 2. The

- basin 1 is also provided with a water supply ipe 6, controlled by avalve 7 which may he reached through the handhole 8 in the platform '2.4

As illustrated in. Fig. '1 the basin hasan inflowopening 9 and anoutflowopening 10, the latter covered by a suitable grating 11 toprevent-the arm or leg of a swimmer who may lose control'of himself frombeing drawn into the outflow opening.

The water is moved by means of the propcller wheel 12 located in theconduit 13 which connects the inflow and the outflow openings of thebasin as shown in Fig. 1.

The propeller is operated by a motor.14'

placed at any suitable point outside the basin, and conductors l5connect the motor.

with a control board 16 usually placed at the side of the basin andwlthinreach of an occupant of the basin. The electric current may betaken from any available source not shown and constituting no part ofthis invention.

Considering Fig. t it will be noted that the grating 17 is pivoted uponthe hangers 18 on the edge 19 of the basin, and that it arrangedadjacent to the outflow opening.

An electric switch device comprising the contacts 20 and 21 is providedadjoining the pivoted port-ion of the grating and above the watertherein, in order that excess pressure upon the grating 17 may movelt'and open' the contacts 20 and 21 against the force of the spring 22thus breaking the motor current. The introduction of the movable gratingand switch is sometimes advantageous as explained in the followingstatement of the mode of operation of this invention.

Assuming that the motor has been started and the water with which thebasin and conduit have been previously filled is moving through thebasin. It, will be diifused in the basin by the natural movements of theswimmer. But, the current may be found too stron to be pleasant, and thecontrol board 16 as been arranged at' theedge of the tank in order thatthe occupant may vary the current to suit himself without leaving thebasin.

In using an apparatus of this nature, there is always one or moreventuresome persons who will try to stem a current of considerablevelocity in the tank, and it is only a matter of time until some one ofsuch swimmers is overcome by the current strength and drawn to andpossibly held at the outflow opening. The provision of the movablegrating with the contacts for breaking the motor current will halt thewater current if the swimmer is forced or falls against the movablegrating, and he will have no difli-,' culty in rising from. the waterwhich is.

ordinarily about four feet deep in the basin. It will thus'be noted thatmeans are afi'orded by the use of this invention to enable the person togain all the pleasure of the bath with the benefit of the swimmingexercise,

and the construction and arrangement herein is particularly useful inteaching swimming as the novice is continuously directly under the eyeof the instructor.

Having now described this invention, and explained the mode of itsoperation, what I claim is Y 1. In a swimming tank of the characterdescribed, the combination with means for circulating the Waterhorizontally in thedescribed, the combination with means for circulatingthe water l'lorizontally and for varying the rapidity of the flow, ofmeans located in the bath tank and adapted to be operated by pressureexerted bythe batherthereby controlling -the said circulating means. i

3. In a swimming bath of the character described, the combination, withmeans for circulating the water horizontally and for .varying therapidity of the flow, of means located in the bath tank and adapted tobe operated by'pressure exerted by-the bather thereby controlling thesaid circulating means, the said pressure-operated means 35- having aspringlarranged to return the parts to their original positions afterpressure 7 is removed.

4. In an exercising swimming tank, the combination with a basinhaving aninflow opening and an outflow opening, the said basin having also awater supply pipe'and a drain pipe, of means including a device formoving the water through the basin, and a movable grating arrangedadjacent to the said outflow opening, and provided with attachmentsconstructed and arranged to stop the said device for moving the waterwhen the grating is moved. a

5. In an exercising swimming tank, the.

combination with a basin having an inflow opening and an outflowopening, the said basin having also a water supply pipe and a drainpipe, of means. including an electric and a movable grating arrangedadjacent to the said outflow opening and provided with a switch devicefor breaking the motor current on excess pressure against the saidgrating. I

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JAMES MARWIGK.

motor for moving the water through the 5 basin, means for controllingthe said motor,

